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1998-2011 Ford Crown VictoriaAero Panther Crown Victoria

1998–2011 60+ on the wall 198 documents ↓

The 1998 model year brought a thorough update of the Ford Crown Victoria, the rear-wheel-drive, body-on-frame Panther sedan shared in platform with the Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car. For 1998 Ford revised the rear suspension to a Watt's-linkage layout, added aluminum front control arms, fitted larger brakes with dual-piston front calipers, and standardized 16-inch wheels. The 4.6L SOHC two-valve modular V8 rose to 200 horsepower with single exhaust and 215 horsepower with the dual-exhaust high-output tune, then to 220 and 235 horsepower for 2001-2002. The most significant chassis change came for 2003, when Ford fitted a fully boxed, partly hydroformed frame and replaced the long-running recirculating-ball steering with rack and pinion, raising civilian output to 224 and 239 horsepower. Two variants defined the run: the LX Sport, offered from 2002 with the dual-exhaust engine, a firmer suspension, a floor-shifted console, and larger wheels, and the Police Interceptor, the P71 fleet car that gained the "Police Interceptor" name and badge for 1999 and reached 250 horsepower for 2004 through 2011. Ford ended United States retail sales after the 2007 model year and built the final Crown Victoria for fleet and export in September 2011.

Other Ford Crown Victoria generations

The 1998-2011 Ford Crown Victoria at a glance

  • 1998 update: Watt's-linkage rear suspension, aluminum front control arms, larger brakes with dual-piston front calipers, standard 16-inch wheels
  • 2003 update: fully boxed, partly hydroformed frame and rack-and-pinion steering replacing recirculating ball
  • Engine: 4.6L SOHC two-valve modular V8, rising from 200 hp (1998) to 239 hp (2003 on) civilian, and 250 hp for the 2004-2011 Police Interceptor
  • Transmissions: 4R70W four-speed automatic through 2004, 4R70E for 2005, 4R75E from 2006; the 2004 Police Interceptor used the 4R75W
  • Platform: rear-wheel-drive, body-on-frame Panther platform, shared with the Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car
  • LX Sport: offered from 2002 with the dual-exhaust engine, firmer suspension, a floor-shifted console, and larger wheels
  • Police Interceptor: P71 order code; "Police Interceptor" name and badge added for 1999
  • End of the line: US retail sales end after 2007; final car built September 2011 at St. Thomas Assembly, Ontario

Ford Crown Victoria 1998-2011 year by year

YearFord Crown Victoria changesEngine / drivetrain
1998Update brings the Watt's-linkage rear suspension, aluminum front control arms, larger brakes with dual-piston front calipers, and standard 16-inch wheels4.6L SOHC 2V V8 (200 hp single, 215 hp dual HO); 4R70W automatic
1999Ford adds the separate "Police Interceptor" name and trunk badge to the P71 fleet car4.6L SOHC 2V V8; Police Interceptor 215 hp; 4R70W automatic
2000The 1998-2011 Ford Crown Victoria carries over with the updated suspension and the 4.6L V84.6L SOHC 2V V8 (200/215 hp); 4R70W automatic
2001Output of the 4.6L V8 rises across the line4.6L SOHC 2V V8 (220 hp single, 235 hp dual HO); 4R70W automatic
2002The LX Sport arrives with the dual-exhaust engine, firmer suspension, a floor-shifted console, and larger wheels4.6L SOHC 2V V8 (220/235 hp); 4R70W automatic
2003Major re-engineering: a fully boxed, partly hydroformed frame and rack-and-pinion steering replace the recirculating-ball system; output rises4.6L SOHC 2V V8 (224 hp single, 239 hp dual HO); 4R70W automatic
2004The Police Interceptor reaches 250 horsepower with a revised air intake; the civilian 4.6L stays at 224/239 hp4.6L SOHC 2V V8; Police Interceptor 250 hp; 4R70W automatic (4R75W on the Police Interceptor)
2005Ford replaces the 4R70W with the related 4R70E four-speed automatic4.6L SOHC 2V V8 (224/239 hp); 4R70E automatic
2006The 4R75E four-speed automatic becomes standard across the line4.6L SOHC 2V V8 (224/239 hp); 4R75E automatic
2007Final model year of United States retail sales; the Crown Victoria continues with the 4.6L V8 and the 4R75E automatic4.6L SOHC 2V V8 (224/239 hp); 4R75E automatic
2008The Crown Victoria becomes fleet-only in the United States, sold for police, taxi, and export use4.6L SOHC 2V V8 (224/239 hp); 4R75E automatic
2009The Ford Crown Victoria continues for fleet, police, and export only4.6L SOHC 2V V8; Police Interceptor 250 hp; 4R75E automatic
2010Fleet, police, and export production of the Ford Crown Victoria continues4.6L SOHC 2V V8; Police Interceptor 250 hp; 4R75E automatic
2011Final year; the last Ford Crown Victoria is built in September 2011 at St. Thomas Assembly, Ontario4.6L SOHC 2V V8; Police Interceptor 250 hp; 4R75E automatic

The 1998 suspension and brake update

The 1998 Ford Crown Victoria revised the chassis hardware while keeping the rear-wheel-drive, body-on-frame Panther layout. Ford replaced the earlier three-link rear suspension with a four-link arrangement using a Watt's linkage to locate the live rear axle, added aluminum front lower control arms, fitted larger brake rotors with dual-piston front calipers, and standardized 16-inch wheels across the line. The 4.6L SOHC modular V8 rose to 200 horsepower with single exhaust and 215 horsepower with the dual-exhaust high-output tune. The 1998 update did not change the steering, which remained recirculating ball until the 2003 re-engineering.

The 2003 frame and steering re-engineering

The 2003 Ford Crown Victoria received the most significant chassis change of its life while staying on the Panther platform. Ford fitted a fully boxed frame using partly hydroformed front rails for better crash performance, revised the front suspension, and, for the first time, replaced the long-running recirculating-ball steering with a rack-and-pinion system. Civilian output rose to 224 horsepower with single exhaust and 239 horsepower with the dual-exhaust high-output tune. These changes carried through to the end of production and also benefited the Police Interceptor built on the same frame.

Engines and transmissions of the 1998-2011 Ford Crown Victoria

The 1998-2011 Ford Crown Victoria used the 4.6L SOHC two-valve modular V8 throughout, in a standard single-exhaust tune and a dual-exhaust high-output tune. Output climbed in steps: 200 and 215 horsepower from 1998, 220 and 235 horsepower for 2001-2002, and 224 and 239 horsepower from 2003. The Police Interceptor used the dual-exhaust engine and reached 250 horsepower for 2004 through 2011 with a revised air intake. The transmission was the 4R70W four-speed automatic through 2004, then the related 4R70E for 2005 and the 4R75E from 2006; the 2004 Police Interceptor used the 4R75W. No manual transmission was offered.

The LX Sport

The LX Sport was the enthusiast civilian Crown Victoria, offered from the 2002 model year. It paired the dual-exhaust high-output 4.6L V8 with a firmer handling-and-performance suspension, larger wheels, a floor-mounted shifter with a center console and bucket seats, and a monochrome exterior. It gave retail buyers most of the chassis hardware of the Police Interceptor in a street car. The LX Sport ran through 2008, its label later folded into a handling and performance package as the retail line narrowed.

The Police Interceptor and the end of production

The 1998-2011 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, built to the P71 order code, was the dominant North American police cruiser of its era. Ford added the separate "Police Interceptor" name and trunk badge for 1999. The P71 used the dual-exhaust 4.6L V8, a heavy-duty cooling system with external power-steering, transmission, and engine-oil coolers, a heavy-duty alternator, a stiffer suspension, and calibrated rear-axle ratios; the 2004-2011 cars produced 250 horsepower. Ford ended United States retail sales of the Crown Victoria after the 2007 model year and continued building it for fleet, police, and export. The last Ford Crown Victoria was built in September 2011 at the St. Thomas Assembly plant in Ontario, ending production ahead of the federal electronic-stability-control requirement that took effect for the 2012 model year.

Frequently asked questions

What changed on the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria?

The 1998 Ford Crown Victoria gained a four-link rear suspension with a Watt's linkage, aluminum front control arms, larger brakes with dual-piston front calipers, and standard 16-inch wheels. The 4.6L modular V8 rose to 200 horsepower single exhaust and 215 horsepower with the dual-exhaust high-output tune. Steering stayed recirculating ball until 2003.

When did the Ford Crown Victoria get rack-and-pinion steering?

The Ford Crown Victoria switched from recirculating-ball steering to rack and pinion for the 2003 model year, as part of the same re-engineering that added a fully boxed, partly hydroformed frame and raised civilian output to 224 horsepower single exhaust and 239 horsepower with the dual-exhaust tune.

What was the Crown Victoria LX Sport?

The Ford Crown Victoria LX Sport was the enthusiast civilian model offered from 2002. It paired the dual-exhaust high-output 4.6L V8 with a firmer suspension, larger wheels, a floor-mounted shifter with a center console and bucket seats, and a monochrome exterior, giving retail buyers much of the Police Interceptor's chassis hardware. It ran through 2008.

How much horsepower does the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor have?

The Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor used the dual-exhaust 4.6L V8, rated 215 horsepower for 1998-2000, 235 horsepower for 2001-2002, 239 horsepower for 2003, and 250 horsepower for 2004 through 2011 with a revised air intake.

When did the Ford Crown Victoria stop being sold?

Ford ended United States retail sales of the Crown Victoria after the 2007 model year and continued building it for fleet, police, and export. The final Ford Crown Victoria was built in September 2011 at the St. Thomas Assembly plant in Ontario, ahead of the 2012 federal electronic-stability-control requirement.

Sources

  • Ford factory specification sheets and shop manuals for the 1998-2011 Crown Victoria
  • Wikipedia, Ford Crown Victoria; Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor; Ford Panther platform
  • Ford Police Interceptor fleet literature (P71)
  • VIN and data-plate decoding for engine, transmission, and axle identification

Asked all the time

What changed on the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria?

The 1998 Ford Crown Victoria gained a four-link rear suspension with a Watt's linkage, aluminum front control arms, larger brakes with dual-piston front calipers, and standard 16-inch wheels. The 4.6L modular V8 rose to 200 horsepower single exhaust and 215 horsepower with the dual-exhaust high-output tune. Steering stayed recirculating ball until 2003.

When did the Ford Crown Victoria get rack-and-pinion steering?

The Ford Crown Victoria switched from recirculating-ball steering to rack and pinion for the 2003 model year, as part of the same re-engineering that added a fully boxed, partly hydroformed frame and raised civilian output to 224 horsepower single exhaust and 239 horsepower with the dual-exhaust tune.

What was the Crown Victoria LX Sport?

The Ford Crown Victoria LX Sport was the enthusiast civilian model offered from 2002. It paired the dual-exhaust high-output 4.6L V8 with a firmer suspension, larger wheels, a floor-mounted shifter with a center console and bucket seats, and a monochrome exterior, giving retail buyers much of the Police Interceptor's chassis hardware. It ran through 2008.

How much horsepower does the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor have?

The Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor used the dual-exhaust 4.6L V8, rated 215 horsepower for 1998-2000, 235 horsepower for 2001-2002, 239 horsepower for 2003, and 250 horsepower for 2004 through 2011 with a revised air intake.

When did the Ford Crown Victoria stop being sold?

Ford ended United States retail sales of the Crown Victoria after the 2007 model year and continued building it for fleet, police, and export. The final Ford Crown Victoria was built in September 2011 at the St. Thomas Assembly plant in Ontario, ahead of the 2012 federal electronic-stability-control requirement.

Technical Reference

Member-uploaded diagrams & documents for this generation. AI-classified; community-verified where badged.

Data/Spec Plates (58)

Manual Pages (14)

Wiring Diagrams (21)

Brochures & Literature (62)

Vacuum Routing (3)

Service Procedures (8)

Exploded Parts (6)

Blueprints (5)

Schematics (11)

Torque Specs (4)

Fuse & Relay Charts (6)

The wall · registered 1998–2011 Crown Victorias

Sorted by depth of documentation. Click any vehicle to open its permanent record.

Silver Ford Crown Victoria front view“LX Sport”2003 Crown Victoria · cstxc1684 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria sedan, 3q-front view, on driveway with aftermarket wheels“Kenny Brown Panther”2001 Crown Victoria · Jersey Vics83 photos White Ford Crown Victoria with black grille, parked on driveway. Another white sedan is visible in the background“blue build”2005 Crown Victoria · dbruno82 photos 1998 Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked on a road with trees in the background. License plate visible“Blue Beauty”1998 Crown Victoria · Earp82 photos Black 2007 Ford Crown Victoria police car parked on a rooftop lot“SOLD”2007 Crown Victoria · mRdot81 photos Black 2001 Ford Crown Victoria, side view, showing damage to the rear quarter panel“Crom Vic”2001 Crown Victoria · GenKraid81 photos Black 2003 Ford Crown Victoria parked on street. Front grille and headlights visible“Blues Mobile”2003 Crown Victoria · FireflyP7180 photos Black sedan parked in a lot, front quarter view. It looks like a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria2003 Crown Victoria2003 Crown Victoria · 2seater79 photos Black 1998 Ford Crown Victoria parked in driveway. Front grille has Ford logo. License plate visible“My Car”1998 Crown Victoria · Dean White79 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria sedan with push bumper, parked on driveway in fall.2003 Crown Victoria2003 Crown Victoria · shap35778 photos 2007 Ford Crown Victoria parked in an empty lot“SOLD”2007 Crown Victoria · mRdot77 photos Blue-gray Ford Crown Victoria front corner with chrome wheels, hood up“Police interceptor”1998 Crown Victoria · AgentK74 photos dark blue sedan parked by a waterfall, side view1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · GlockElbow73 photos Tan 1999 Ford Crown Victoria front corner with clear headlight and black grille“crown-vicious”1999 Crown Victoria · Aaron G73 photos Black 2003 Ford Crown Victoria parked on a street with fallen leaves“Victor's Victoria”2003 Crown Victoria · vicvega72 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria front view with aftermarket hood scoop“Belle”2004 Crown Victoria · wild1joker72 photos White 2000 Ford Crown Victoria with a black push bar, parked on asphalt“Car RamRod”2000 Crown Victoria · psygn0sis71 photos Dark blue 1999 Ford Crown Victoria sedan, 3/4 front view1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · 99p71interceptor70 photos White 2004 Ford Crown Victoria front view, black grille, some grass and trees2004 Crown Victoria2004 Crown Victoria · JKW69 photos Blue 2003 Ford Crown Victoria parked near a body of water2003 Crown Victoria2003 Crown Victoria · GaryinVT68 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria with push bar and red stripe, parked in snow. Driver visible“Black Bitch”2000 Crown Victoria · helocop68 photos Blue 1999 Ford Crown Victoria rear with Ford badge and license plate“The Strike Eagle”1999 Crown Victoria · shap35768 photos 2001 Ford Crown Victoria police car front view“Blue Bruiser”2001 Crown Victoria · GlocksterJames68 photos White 1999 Ford Crown Victoria front view with black grille and license plate 43A W321999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · Kevin Twohig66 photos Dark blue 2003 Ford Crown Victoria rear view, emitting thick white smoke from dual exhaust pipes“Veronica”2003 Crown Victoria · 15mpgCity65 photos White 2000 Ford Crown Victoria police car with a push bar and Code 3 lightbar mount“P71”2000 Crown Victoria · unixdude65 photos Gray Ford Crown Victoria parked on a gravel road with trees and a field in the background1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · PlainJoe64 photos White 1998 Ford Crown Victoria sedan, rear view, with rust on rear quarter panel and Maine license plate THIRT3N“The Burn Cruiser (Victoria)”1998 Crown Victoria · Th1rt3eN63 photos Dark maroon Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked on snowy driveway with Minnesota plate, front 3/4 view.“SOLD”1999 Crown Victoria · mRdot60 photos White 2003 Ford Crown Victoria with black wheels parked outside“CVPI”2003 Crown Victoria · pollenjesus60 photos 1999 Ford Crown Victoria rear view, dark gray“Big Boy”1999 Crown Victoria · Ventana60 photos Maroon Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked on grass, front 3/4 driver-side view.“2K4Sport”2004 Crown Victoria · ntrcptr9959 photos Black 2005 Ford Crown Victoria parked in a lot, front passenger side visible, wet surface“SOLD”2005 Crown Victoria · mRdot58 photos 1999 Ford Crown Victoria, black, parked on gravel with train cars behind it. License plate 248-KVR1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · Steve00CVPI57 photos White 2003 Ford Crown Victoria front view with a man draped over the hood“Snowflake”2003 Crown Victoria · lgunslinger57 photos White Ford Crown Victoria sedan, 3/4 front view with black wheels and blacked-out grille, parked on gravel.2001 Crown Victoria2001 Crown Victoria · Art Black57 photos Black 1999 Ford Crown Victoria front end with honeycomb grille“The Squad Car”1999 Crown Victoria · David Baer57 photos 1960 Ford Ranchero pickup truck parked on a paved surface with grass and trees in the background2002 Crown Victoria2002 Crown Victoria · ZWHEELS56 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria sedan on polished aftermarket wheels, front three-quarter view1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · John Even56 photos Black 1998 Ford Crown Victoria parked on a snowy street“Black Beauty”1998 Crown Victoria · Tom O56 photos Black sedan parked on asphalt, front quarter view, with chrome wheels and headlights on“Sold.”2008 Crown Victoria · dredluxx54 photos Silver 2002 Ford Crown Victoria parked outside with a building and American flag in the background2002 Crown Victoria2002 Crown Victoria · Crownvic0254 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria sedan, front view on grass lawn“P71 Interceptor SOLD 07/2019”2005 Crown Victoria · dbmcd53 photos 1998 Ford Crown Victoria parked in driveway in front of a house1998 Crown Victoria1998 Crown Victoria · kap6453 photos White 2000 Ford Crown Victoria front fender and headlight assembly“Whitey”2000 Crown Victoria · zwack8853 photos “P71”2003 Crown Victoria · PHD00852 photos 2000 Ford Crown Victoria, front quarter view with headlights on2000 Crown Victoria2000 Crown Victoria · jsvic51 photos Dark gray sedan driving through an orange-coned autocross course on a paved track.1998 Crown Victoria1998 Crown Victoria · fuzz51 photos Red car front end with visible damage to the hood and bumper area. Headlight is partially visible2004 Crown Victoria2004 Crown Victoria · malcolm49 photos Black Mercury Grand Marquis sedan on large chrome wheels parked on gravel“LX Sport”2007 Crown Victoria · CROWNVICROB48 photos White Ford Crown Victoria sedan with black steel wheels parked on a driveway1998 Crown Victoria1998 Crown Victoria · bnmc9848 photos Granite tombstone with Crown Victoria Police Interceptor image and '2000-2010' text2000 Crown Victoria2000 Crown Victoria · Steve00CVPI48 photos Ford Crown Victoria parked on a slight incline. Black grille and steel wheels“The Palamino”2005 Crown Victoria · ThePalomino47 photos Front view of a dark red Ford Crown Victoria with a chrome grille and Texas license plate C63-ZGC“Got Vic”2002 Crown Victoria · Dave Peterson47 photos Gray-green Ford Crown Victoria sedan, front 3/4 view, parked on gravel by trees.1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · KCSO0546 photos 1998 Ford Crown Victoria parked on asphalt, front 3/4 view. Black grille, license plate KC8ERP“98Vic-HPP”1998 Crown Victoria · Jesse Barton46 photos 1998 Ford Crown Victoria rear view, parked in a lot1998 Crown Victoria1998 Crown Victoria · K 946 photos Matte black 2003 Ford Crown Victoria parked in front of a garage“Project 2501”2003 Crown Victoria · crownvicted45 photos Silver 1999 Ford Crown Victoria rear quarter view with custom taillights and spoiler“ProjectVic”1999 Crown Victoria · LoganValley21544 photos Black 2001 Ford Crown Victoria parked on a concrete driveway in front of a brick house with an open garage2001 Crown Victoria2001 Crown Victoria · mabernichjr44 photos